LGBTQIA+ Equality Tanzania, United Republic of Project #56393

Addressing the dynamic needs of LGBTQ+ people

by LGBT Voice of Tanzania

Project Report | Feb 15, 2024
Progress report

By Maria Mdenda | Advocacy and Fundraising Manager

LGBTQ+ in Dar es salaam

I`m thrilled to provide an update on the progress of our project, which is aimed at addressing the evolving needs of the LGBTQ community in Tanzania. As you are all well aware, our organization, LGBT Voice Tanzania, is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ individuals in the country, and this remains our utmost priority.

Project Implemetation

After observing a noticeable rise in the expulsion of LGBTQ young individuals from educational institutions during our daily activities, we have become concerned about this recurring pattern. Not only does it infringe upon their fundamental right to education, but it also perpetuates a cycle of inequality and impoverishment. Therefore, we have made it a priority to establish educational environments that are inclusive and empower LGBTQ youth to achieve their full potential and make meaningful contributions to a fair and prosperous society, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Subsequently, we have taken steps to challenge discriminatory educational policies that marginalize and exclude LGBTQ students. We firmly believe that every LGBTQ young person deserves equal opportunities in education and career. In order to accomplish this, we are forming partnerships with human rights organizations, groups, and legal professionals who share our vision. By combining our resources and expertise, we are confident in overcoming the obstacles ahead and working together towards a future where every individual has equal access to education and opportunities.

We have dispatched correspondence to various local and international organizations that can aid in urging our government to uphold and protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals, including amending educational policies that prohibit LGBTQ individuals from receiving education in public settings. Additionally, we are in the process of arranging a meeting with stakeholders from diverse sectors to discuss the significance and consequences of such policies, as well as propose solutions. The outcomes of this meeting will then be presented to policy makers

Organizational Challenges

LGBT Voice Tanzania encounters several challenges. However, a major hurdle we currently face is the insufficient funding for our project implementation. Despite our efforts to submit a collaborative funding proposal with our project partners, we were unable to secure the necessary financial support. This setback has impeded our progress and poses a threat to the extent of impact we can achieve. Given this situation, we are now relying on online donations as our primary source of hope to bridge the funding gap..

Appeal for Funding:

We kindly appeal to your generosity and ask for your financial contributions to help bridge the funding gap and make a significant impact on advancing our mission. Your support is crucial in our efforts to challenge unjust educational policies and create a more inclusive society for LGBTQ individuals in Tanzania. By donating, you will be assisting us in providing essential resources, advocating for legal reforms, and conducting educational programs to raise awareness about LGBTQ rights.

Together, we firmly believe that by collaborating and harnessing the power of collective action, we can overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. Our goal is to create a future where LGBTQ individuals in Tanzania can live free from discrimination, pursue their dreams, and contribute to society just like everyone else.

We sincerely urge you to consider making a donation and joining us on this important journey towards equality and inclusivity.

Your unwavering commitment to our cause is greatly appreciated and will help shape a brighter future for the LGBTQ community in Tanzania.

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Nov 1, 2023
Progress Report for the past ten months

By Maria Mudenda | Advocacy and Fundraising Manager

We are a growing and dynamic organization our work is to promote, support, defend and protect the interests and the general well-being of Gay, Lesbians, bisexual and Transgender people in Tanzania but we can`t do it without our partners, supporters, allies and friends.

I would like to sincerely thank you for joining in our relentless journey towards ensuring equality in Tanzania. Your partnership and support is a tool towards the change we need. You have achieved a milestone with us as we aim to benefit hundreds of LGBTQIA+ individuals next coming months

Financial accountability

Your generosity has empowered us to reach a milestone - $6,354 in ten months! You're not just donors - you're our strongest supporters, champions and friends. Thank you.

Administration costs- $1,500 as a voluntary organization LGBT Voice Tanzania depends on donations for the general operating costs of the organization, which include, office rent, water bill, electricity bills, internet and communication

Programs Costs - $4,854

LGBT Voice Tanzania spent $4,854 to implement its programs in the past ten months. Though the organization was established as an advocacy organization we find it impossible to advocate for LGBTQIA rights without providing direct services to our beneficiaries because every day we receive 3-10 urgent calls for emergency support to LGBTQIA in crisis. This includes immediate shelter, emotional support, relocation and legal guidance. With a spike in crisis calls we are forced to be a charity that transform lives and safeguard rights.

Legal Aid:

This year legal aid turned to be the main need this year because of the increase of unjust arrest, torture and detention. Thanks to our kind and committed lawyers for providing legal aid to 186 LGBTQIA individuals who were affected by unjust arrests.

Essential trauma counseling services:

Due to the increase of arrests, dentation, torture, and other forms of violence based on sex orientation and gender identity the organization was pushed to provide mental health and wellbeing for the LGBTQ+ community by enhancing access to mental health resources including counselling. Thanks to your support more than 200 individuals were served.

Advocacy and Awareness:

LGBT Voice Tanzania for was formed to create a world where LGBTQIA+ people can thrive free from the limitations of gender identity and sex orientation oppressions, which make the advocacy program the backbone of the organization, but this year`s budget had a downfall and limited our advocacy campaigns.

Training and research:

We do believe that Training and research will help LGBT Voice increase the critical thinking and problem-solving skills but we are tied up with the budget limitations and could not implement anything, kindly support us today

Future plans:

The lessons learned from this year’s events is an alarm that we have to:

1. Improve and increase access to legal services for the LGBTQ+ community who have faced unjust arrests.

2. Improve and increase mental health and wellbeing for the LGBTQ+ community by enhancing access to mental health resources including counseling.

3. Invest in research and trading for data based solutions.

Needs:

For LGBT Voice Tanzania to build a strong, vibrant future for the LGBT+ community, meeting the needs, advancing the rights, and celebrating the lives of Gay, Lesbians, bisexual and Transgender people and communities in Tanzania, there is a need for increased funding up to $100,000 a year.

Kindly continue supporting us in creating a safe and inclusive Tanzania for all. Your contribution can help in accelerating our advocacy programs, awareness campaigns, and support services

We are forever indebted to you for your support.

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Jul 5, 2023
First half Progress report

By Maria Mdenda | Fundraising and Advocacy Manager

We are proud to bring you this report! LGBT Voice Tanzania just celebrated its 15th anniversary in June and this month marks the beginning of our second half of the year. Thanks to our supports and friends who helped us accomplish a lot in the first half of the year. Our main focus efforts were set to relieving the pain and agony endured by LGBT+ individuals in police custody because there is a rise in anti-LGBT+ rhetoric and violence that the community is facing across the country that worsened in April – we are working hard to make sure everyone is safe

Because of your support we have seen what the power of unity can do. We have been able to secure essential legal counsel to 23 LGBT+ individuals who were arbitrary arrested as you all know Tanzania is still among the unfriendliest countries for LGBT+ persons, with harsh penal laws and entrenched community and institutional bias and discrimination, thanks because we are moving one step closer to a more accepting Tanzania.

Due to limited resources the implementation of KUISHI PROJECT is very slow but we intend to speed the work in this second half once the resources are available, the fact is that we will continue to prioritize the provision of legal support because it is the major need that we can`t ignore at the moment. Every day, individuals in Tanzania face discrimination, arbitrary arrests, faced anal examination and rejection due to prejudice based on gender identity and sexual orientation, and that calls for a collective action in order to change lives.

Personal Story: My name is Masawe, I live in Karatu, northern part of Tanzania, I was arrested by the local police and they charged me with homosexuality, I was detained for 4 days and endured all the torture and abusive language by the officers. Thanks to LGBT Voice Tanzania, they learned about my situation and sent a lawyer who bailed me out before I appeared in court , after a few weeks my case was dropped and I`m free but still afraid may be they can arrest me again.

Our duty is to ensure that no LGBT+ person is arrested, detained and tortured based on their sexual orientation and gender identity,

Appeal: I`m kindly asking for your contribution that will go directly towards providing legal counsel to those who are arbitrary arrested and detained, we need at least $,3000/= by July ,31.

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